Justices of the peace are elected officials. Justices of the peace preside over courts of limited jurisdiction, and receive oversight from the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Constables are also elected officials. Constables are the marshals for the justice of the peace courts. They serve warrants and summons, collect garnishments, and process evictions and other matters pertaining to the court.
Justices of the peace and constables report to the Legislative Auditor (LLA) as local auditees, but there is a special reporting provision for justices of the peace and constables in the audit law (Louisiana Revised Statute (R.S.) 24:513 J. (1) (a) (ii) (c) (i) (cc)).
Questions:
- I am a justice of the peace. Both I and the constable of my court receive very little in the way of public funds, and most of that is retained for our salaries. Why do I have a reporting requirement to LLA?